Non-Simply-Connected Symmetries in 6D SCFTs

Authors: Markus Dierigl, Paul-Konstantin Oehlmann, Fabian Ruehle

Preprint number: UUITP-14/20

Abstract: Six-dimensional N=(1,0) superconformal field theories can be engineered geometrically via F-theory on elliptically-fibered Calabi-Yau 3-folds. However, up to now this geometric framework has only been utilized to derive the flavor and gauge algebras on the tensor branch of such theories. Here, we include the presence of torsional sections that lead to a non-trivial, finite Mordell-Weil group, which allows us to identify the full non-Abelian group structure rather than just the algebra. The presence of torsion modifies the center of the symmetry groups and the matter representations that can appear. This in turn affects the tensor branch of these theories. We analyze this change for a large class of superconformal theories with torsion and explicitly construct their tensor branches. Finally, we elaborate on the connection to the dual heterotic and M-theory description, in which our configurations are interpreted as generalizations of discrete holonomy instantons.